Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-28

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below gives information about how families in one country spent their weekly income in 1968 and in 2018.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

1968 and 2018: average weekly spending by families

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Th bar chart illustrates how families in one country their weekly income over the period 1968 from 2018.

Overall it is clear that in 1968 Food is highest proportion of family income but in 2018 it fall. Household goods is the stable income in 1968 to 2018. Leisure in 1968 very down and coming to 2018 increased.

Looking at the bar chart, in 1968 food is 35% of family income but coming to 2018 is fall above 15%. Housing is 10% weekly income in 1968. In 2018 it climb to above 15%. Clothing and footware is 10% family income. In 2018 slightly down to 5%. Household goods is very stable in 1968 and 2018 it is above 5% respectively.

Fuel and power is above 5% in 1968. In 2018 it decrease to below 5%. personal goods in 1968 it is above 5% of weekly income. In 2018 it fall 5%. Transport is above 5% in 1968. coming to 2018 it arise to above 10%. Leisure is the above 5% of family income. In 2018 it rose to above 20% family income.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student covers most of the key features of the chart, successfully identifying major trends such as the drop in food spending and the rise in leisure expenses. An overview is attempted at the beginning with phrases like 'Overall it is clear that...', though it lacks clarity and precision regarding all categories. Some figures are described broadly (e.g., 'above 15%', 'above 20%') rather than pinpointing exact values, but the general comparisons between 1968 and 2018 are accurate. The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt, earning a Band 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text is organized into paragraphs, separating the introduction, overview, and specific data categories. However, the progression within paragraphs feels mechanical and repetitive, heavily relying on formulaic transitions such as 'Looking at the bar chart' and 'In 2018 it...'. Cohesive devices are minimal and basic. While the overall arrangement is coherent enough to follow, referencing is sometimes unclear, and the lack of varied linking devices limits the score to a Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, frequently reusing verbs like 'is', 'fall', 'rose', and 'climb' without much variation in tense or collocation. There are noticeable lexical errors, such as 'footware' (spelling), 'very down' instead of 'low', and 'the stable income' instead of 'stable expenditure'. While the range is minimally adequate to convey the basic data points, the frequent errors and lack of sophisticated phrasing place this at a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response features a very limited range of grammatical structures, consisting mostly of simple sentences linked by basic conjunctions or periods. There are frequent grammatical errors, including missing prepositions, incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'Food is highest proportion... but in 2018 it fall'), and missing verbs (e.g., 'personal goods in 1968 it is...'). Complex structures are rarely attempted and, when used, are often inaccurate. These errors frequently cause strain for the reader, resulting in a Band 5.0.

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